🎧Health Brief: 5 Common Blood Pressure Mistakes; Commonly Prescribed Medication Linked to Bone Loss; How Awe Boosts Your Immune System

A worker is seen at a Florida pharmacy in a file photo. Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Good morning, and welcome to The Epoch Times Health Brief for Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024.

I’m Bill Thomas, we have several very intriguing stories to share with you right now, and here’s what’s going on.

Research shows that blood pressure readings may be way off for millions of people, which could seriously impact health diagnoses; a new study links a common thyroid medication to loss of bone density and mass; and we’ll dive into how being in awe of something can physically strengthen your immune system.

Also, we have a list of foods you can eat to fight inflammation, clear toxins from your body, and boost your health, and we’ll take a look at how nostalgia changed from something doctors once considered a disease to now being a powerful source of emotional healing.

We'll break down each of these stories one by one, but we begin with information regarding just how tricky it can be to get a correct reading of your blood pressure and why that’s alarming.

5 Common Blood Pressure Mistakes—Where to Get the Most Accurate Reading

New research shows that those quick blood pressure checks at the doctor’s office aren’t always as accurate as you'd think because some health care providers aren’t following the recommended guidelines.

It’s important to point out that wrong blood pressure measurements—even a mere five-point error—can misdiagnose you with hypertension. This can lead to unnecessary medications being prescribed, which could send you down the rabbit hole of possible drug interactions, potential stress on your heart, and a treatment plan based on a faulty reading.

One major reason behind these inaccuracies is how the blood pressure cuff is used. Even the position of your arm can dramatically change your readings. Studies show that resting your arm the wrong way can give inflated readings, signaling high blood pressure when that might not actually be the case. The wrong cuff size can also overestimate or underestimate the reading.

On top of that, things like having a full bladder can also spike those numbers. Also, crossing your legs during a blood pressure check can bump up your systolic blood pressure, which is the top measurement, by more than 11 points.

Another factor that contributes to inaccurate readings is something called “white coat hypertension.” This is where the anxiety of being in a clinical setting makes your blood pressure soar, which can be misleading and also lead to unnecessary treatments or concerns about your health.

The bottom line is that next time you go in for a check-up, keep these tips in mind to help ensure accurate readings and proper cardiovascular health.

We'll continue now with a story regarding a certain medication used by millions of people nationwide and its potentially serious side effects.

Commonly Prescribed Medication for Older Adults Linked to Bone Loss

Researchers from Johns Hopkins University link levothyroxine, one of the most prescribed drugs for older adults in the United States, to bone loss, which can result in weaker bones that are more likely to break.

You should know that the makers of Synthroid, which is one of the most popular brands of levothyroxine, are warning that improper dosages, whether too high or too low, can lead to adverse effects on bone health, especially in post-menopausal women.

The new study points out that levothyroxine users experienced greater loss of total body bone density and mass, regardless of their thyroid-stimulating hormone levels, even when they were within the normal range.

Also, the authors of the study point out that many older people are prescribed thyroid hormone medication even though they don’t have a thyroid condition. This can lead to them taking too much of the medicine and experiencing negative side effects.

According to the researchers, the results are a crucial reminder for health care providers to use caution when prescribing levothyroxine, particularly in those not diagnosed with underactive thyroid.

Now, let’s change things up and examine something a little more joyful, and that’s a certain positive emotion that can improve your health significantly.

How Awe Boosts Your Immune System

When most people hear “awe,” they imagine gorgeous landscapes or epic natural wonders. However, it turns out that the most common source of awe has nothing to do with mountains or picturesque scenery—but more to do with human goodness and moral beauty.

Researchers point out something that’s fascinating: witnessing acts of courage like saving someone’s life, being kind, or seeing a person overcome difficult challenges actually triggers the most profound sense of awe in people.

Here’s where it gets even more interesting: awe isn’t just a warm, fuzzy feeling—it has some serious health benefits. In fact, in one study, awe was found to be up to three times more effective than other positive emotions like joy when it came to reducing the levels of a certain protein in the body that’s involved in both acute and chronic inflammation.

Additionally, researchers say that during the COVID-19 pandemic, people already infected with the virus reported less severe symptoms and lower stress levels when they experienced daily moments of awe.

Beyond the physical benefits, awe does something remarkable to our psychological state. People who feel such amazement tend to be more helpful and less narcissistic, and they even become more connected to others. One experiment showed that people who spent just a minute looking at tall trees were more likely to help a person who dropped something, compared to those who looked at a modern science building.

In the end, keep your eyes open for those moments of wonder, whether it’s a stranger’s kindness or a personal breakthrough. They’re not just beautiful; they might also be beneficial to your overall health and well-being.

Let’s stay on topic with holistic health, and traditional Chinese medicine has long believed that certain foods can work magic on our lungs, and now science is proving that to be the case.

10 Anti-Inflammatory, Cold-Weather Foods to Boost Immunity

According to one doctor specializing in integrative and traditional Chinese medicine for chronic mental, behavioral, and physical illnesses, certain ingredients you can find in many common foods are basically superheroes for your respiratory system.

Here are some of these all-star ingredients. First up is white fungus, which is amazing for replenishing body fluids and packed with complex carbohydrates that boost your immune system.

Next is lotus root, which is loaded with vitamin C and helps clear out your lungs, while black fungus is like a two-for-one deal—it can moisturize your lungs and even has properties that might help inhibit lung cancer cell growth.

Here’s where good health gets tasty—pears are another superstar for the lungs because they’re rich in antioxidants, which can help reduce congestion and potentially improve respiratory conditions like asthma.

Next, we have what are basically The Avengers of lung health: walnuts, ginger, and turmeric. Walnuts are packed with omega-3 fatty acids that can help reduce lung inflammation. Ginger can help relieve coughs, while turmeric has been shown to decrease swelling or irritation in the lungs.

Some other surprising lung-health champions include wolfberries, which are also known as goji berries, and honey. For example, an Oxford University study found that honey is actually better than conventional treatments (like decongestants) for improving upper respiratory tract infection symptoms, such as coughing, sore throat, and runny nose.

It’s amazing how simple, everyday ingredients, which are backed by both traditional medicine and modern scientific research, can have such remarkable effects on our health. You may want to give your lungs some love, but always talk to your doctor first before making any significant changes to your diet.

How Nostalgia Turned From a ‘Disease’ to a Therapy

Just as natural remedies can support our physical health, our memories have a unique and powerful ability to restore and protect our emotional health.

When people go through old photos, many get hit with a wave of warm, fuzzy feelings. Turns out, nostalgia is way more than just a trip down memory lane.

Back in the 17th century, some doctors thought nostalgia was an actual disease because of its tendency to evoke episodes of weeping, insomnia, and anxiety.

However, modern research is flipping the script on nostalgia. One study found that almost 80 percent of people experience nostalgic moments at least once a week, and these memories aren’t just random—they’re usually about close relationships and meaningful life events.

What’s even more interesting is how people can transform negative memories into something positive through the lens of nostalgia. It’s like our brains have an ability to find silver linings in past experiences.

According to research, nostalgia is a psychological safety mechanism. When we’re feeling lonely, stressed, or unhappy, nostalgia swoops in like an emotional knight in shining armor. Researchers say that people who spend time reminiscing tend to feel more positive, better about themselves, and more socially connected.

This is where it gets even more fascinating. Nostalgia might be key for finding a deeper meaning in life. Studies show that people who experience nostalgic memories say that they feel as though their lives have more purpose.

Essentially, the next time you’re feeling a bit blue, don’t be afraid to indulge in a little nostalgia. After all, it might just be the secret ingredient to a happier, healthier you.

And now, as we wrap up this edition of the Health Brief, if you have any health tips you’d like to share with us, shoot an email our way, and we’re at [email protected]. You can also leave comments for us on the Epoch Times app, which you can download for free.

And don’t forget the Health Brief Motto: We’re portable, affordable, always on-demand, and no tobacco allowed—this is a no-smoking zone.

And finally, as we do each and every week on this program, we wrap everything up with a very notable quote, and this one comes to us from Dr. Mark Hyman, who said: “You can’t exercise your way out of a bad diet.”

Hyman is an American doctor and he’s written a number of books about healthy living.

One more thing before we go—the health tip of the day: It’s okay to eat cake. Just don’t eat the whole cake.

For all of us here at The Epoch Times Health Brief, I’m Bill Thomas.

The Epoch Times Health Brief program was written today by Hristina Byrnes.

Thank you for making us your one-stop source for a concise, accurate, and unbiased weekly synopsis of many of the health stories you need to know about.

Enjoy the remainder of your weekend, and we'll see you right back here next time for another edition of The Epoch Times Health Brief.

For now, let’s all continue to watch out for one another and have an absolutely superb day today. Bye for now.